From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Use of thinner lubricating oils in Bentley cars to address starter motor issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 139\3\ scan0063 | |
| Date | 28th December 1934 | |
| W/S - C. c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} x 995 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/KW.28.12.34. Bentley Instruction Book - Oil: Replying to C2/C.27.12.34. We have known since the introduction of the Bentley that the starter motor was only just up to the job. This has been confirmed by starting troubles in customers' hands. The only thing we can do to improve the position is to use thinner lubricating oils. We are running these oils in all our Experimental cars and also on 21-G-IV in France. The practice of using thin oils in the Winter to aid starting is not a new one. In the United States every car manufacturer recommends oils far thinner than those which we have suggested, and in fact in many cases a mixture of 40% Kerosene is adopted. The American experience is that thin oils in the Winter behave in the same way as thick oils in the Summer. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||